Caster Rock - Cape Town & Western Cape

The Forêt du Snark, a classic in Prony Bay, always feels like you've dropped into a well-kept secret. It's shallow, topping out at just 13 metres, which means the light always feels bright, even on an overcast day. We love the sheer density of coral here, big stony structures that have stood for ages, a real contrast to some of the more fragmented reefs you find these days. Glide through schools of silver-streaked rainbowfish, flashing against the darker backdrop of the coral, or spot a twinspot hawkfish perched patiently. The black-backed wrasse are a common sight, darting between crevices. Our top tip: go early. The site can get busy, but if you're the first boat, you get that serene quiet before the buzz. Visibility hovers around 19 metres, which is usually enough to take in the sheer scale of the coral architecture. It's an ideal spot for new divers to build confidence and for photographers to really dial in their macro shots without fighting current or depth.

Location
Cape Town & Western Cape, South Africa, Indian Ocean & East Africa
Coordinates
-34.179300, 18.461400
Type
reef

Marine Protected Area: Table Mountain National Park Marine Protected Area

Best Time to Dive in Cape Town & Western Cape

The warmest water temperatures in Cape Town & Western Cape occur in January, averaging 18.9°C. The coolest conditions are in December at 18.9°C.

Monthly Water Temperatures

  • January: 18.9°C (air: 20.8°C)
  • February: 18.9°C (air: 20.7°C)
  • March: 18.9°C (air: 19.5°C)
  • April: 18.9°C (air: 17.3°C)
  • May: 18.9°C (air: 15.8°C)
  • June: 18.9°C (air: 15.0°C)
  • July: 18.9°C (air: 13.2°C)
  • August: 18.9°C (air: 13.2°C)
  • September: 18.9°C (air: 13.9°C)
  • October: 18.9°C (air: 16.5°C)
  • November: 18.9°C (air: 17.8°C)
  • December: 18.9°C (air: 19.3°C)

Nearby Dive Sites in Cape Town & Western Cape

Nearest Dive Centres to Caster Rock

Marine Life in Cape Town & Western Cape

Home to 271 recorded species including 176 reef fish, 45 sharks & rays, 28 whales & dolphins, 5 hard corals, 4 other, 4 octopus & squid.

Notable Species

Recommended Packing List for Caster Rock

Based on average water temperature of 18.9°C.

  • Wetsuit (3-5mm) - comfortable for 19°C water
  • Mask - essential for every dive
  • Fins
  • BCD - buoyancy compensator
  • Regulator - your most safety-critical piece of gear
  • Dive Computer - tracks depth, time, and NDL
  • Surface Marker Buoy (SMB) - essential for boat pickups
  • Dive Torch - useful for crevices and colour at depth
  • Underwater Camera - capture your diving memories